The business community in the Nelson Mandela Bay is calling for a reduction in the amount of water lost through the cracks.
This is after meteorologists forecast an El Niño over Southern Africa, last week.
As a result, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) said there is a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures between November 2026 and January 2027.
Denise van Huyssteen, Chief Executive Officer of the local business chamber, said “the fact that our dams are full is positive, but it should not create a false sense of security. If we are heading into a hotter and drier summer, we need to use this window to address the water that is already being lost. Losing more than 60% of our water through the system is a vulnerability we cannot afford to ignore.”
She also said water-loss reduction must be accompanied by basic infrastructure maintenance, including the clearing and upkeep of stormwater drains and canals.
More than 50mm of rainfall and cold conditions, are expected through cut-off low pressure systems, during September and October.
The National Disaster Management Centre’s Seasonal Hazard Profile confirmed this.
van Huyssteen said this is reason to reduce unaccounted and non-revenue water losses by fixing leaks and addressing water billing issues, proactively upgrading and maintaining infrastructure on an ongoing basis.
Picture: Supplied